3 Ways Manufacturers Can Get Most Out of Microsoft Dynamics GP

One thing I see often, in my years of working with clients using Dynamics GP, is that even though GP is a powerful ERP platform, many teams only scratch the surface of what it can do. If you’re in manufacturing or distribution, there are a few tools inside GP that can save you time, reduce errors, and make your month-end processes a whole lot smoother. Here are three of my favorites.

1. Use the Historical Inventory Trial Balance to Catch Discrepancies Early

If you’ve ever struggled to get your balance sheet to match your inventory numbers at month-end, you’re not alone. The Historical Inventory Trial Balance report in GP can help you pinpoint where things aren’t lining up.

You can find it by navigating to Reports → Inventory → Activity → Historical Inventory Trial Balance in GP.

Run the report, compare it to your general ledger, and you’ll quickly see any mismatched transactions. Common culprits include “zero inventory” entries that still show a balance, or an inventory value entered with zero cost.

The fix? Use GP’s Adjust Cost tool—but make sure you review every layer of the transaction so the adjustment carries through to all ledgers. (And as a rule of thumb, never post corrections directly into your General Ledger unless your provider tells you to—it can create bigger issues down the road.)

2. Close Out Manufacturing Orders Promptly

This one’s simple but often overlooked. If you don’t close out completed manufacturing orders, you’re leaving the door open for problems later. Costs for inventory, materials, and labor can change over time, and if an order stays “open,” those changes can throw off your financials.

Even if you’re behind, take the time to close out old orders properly. It keeps your books clean and prevents confusion later. I’ve provided a quick overview to get you started below. If you’re still not sure how to do it, Enavate’s experts can help you sort through it.

3. Save Time by Cloning Items

Here’s a great time-saver that too few teams use: Item Copy.

If you’re frequently creating new items that are just variations of existing ones, like a product in a new color or size, you don’t need to start from scratch each time.

Go to Item Maintenance, choose the item you want to duplicate, and click Item Copy.

You’ll be able to update the description, materials, or categories, and give the new item a unique name. Hit Create Copy, and GP does the rest.

This feature is a game-changer for manufacturers and distributors with large catalogs—it keeps data entry consistent and saves you valuable time.

Keep Getting More from GP

If you’re still running Dynamics GP, it’s worth taking advantage of every feature that helps your business run smarter and smoother. These small optimizations can make a big difference in accuracy, efficiency, and productivity.

And if you’re ready to take it further—or thinking about your next step beyond GP—our team at Enavate is here to help you plan what’s next.